Boys Elite Clubs National League, Inc. (“ECNL”) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit member-based organization founded in 2017 to improve the daily environment for boys youth soccer players through a collaborative club-based development program featuring competition, player identification, and coaching and club development platforms.

Goal

The goal of the Boys Elite Clubs National League (ECNL) is to change the landscape for elite male soccer players in the United States through innovative, player-centered programming and to enhance the overall experience by creating a better, more enjoyable, and more successful player, coach, and club development model.

A Board of Directors elected by the member clubs leads the Boys ECNL. The Boys ECNL Commissioner manages day-to-day operations. The Boys ECNL has three primary platforms:

ECNL teams will be formed via Identification (ID) sessions, which will take place before the traditional tryout period in May/June. These ID sessions are open to all players via Talent ID Centers. Players must first register for these ID Centers AND be invited to attend a specific session, which is used to ensure a high-performance playing environment.

Families of players interested in ECNL must be patient during this process, as it is different than the traditional Travel tryout schedule. Most if not all players registered for ECNL Talent ID Center will be invited to attend at least one. Current Loudoun Soccer players will continue to be assessed within their current team and age group.

Playing up (playing on an older team) is permitted in ECNL, as it is in Loudoun Soccer. However, Loudoun Soccer believes a talented player should only play-up an age group if they excel at that level; players who compete or merely survive while playing up often fail to develop to their fullest potential, because certain elements of their game are compromised in a bigger, faster environment.

Given the competitive environment ECNL teams are expected to create in training and experience in competition, most if not all team members will play in their age group. Families who wish for their child to play-up must first receive approval from Maurice Hughes, Loudoun Soccer Boys ECNL Director.

All players who try out for ECNL but are not selected are strongly encouraged to attend the club’s Travel tryouts in May and June for potential selection to our Red team that competes in Club Champions League.

Boys ECNL teams will wear the same jerseys as the rest of the Travel teams in the club, but will have an ECNL patch on their sleeve. Additional items exclusive to ECNL players may be added to the existing uniform package.

ECNL competition includes a combination of league schedules and event (tournament) play. Certain age groups include post-season competition in June and possibly July if they advance. Please review the chart below to read the expected competition formats for each age group.

Age Group

Conference (League) Schedule

ECNL Event Schedule

ECNL Post-Season Schedule

U13

Traditional league schedule in Fall (Sept-Nov) and Spring (March-May)

One showcase per year

None – season concludes in May

U14

Traditional league schedule in Fall (Sept-Nov) and Spring (March-May)

One showcase per year

Top teams in each conference qualify for ECNL Champions League event in June

U15

Traditional league schedule primarily in Fall (Sept-Nov) with potential matches in Winter (Dec-Feb) to minimize conflicts with High School season in Spring.

Two showcases per year

Top teams in each conference qualify for ECNL Champions League in June with winners advancing to ECNL Finals in July; or for ECNL North American Cup or Showcase Cup in June.

U16

Traditional league schedule primarily in Fall (Sept-Nov) with potential matches in Winter (Dec-Feb) to minimize conflicts with High School season in Spring.

Three showcases per year

Top teams in each conference qualify for ECNL Champions League in June with winners advancing to ECNL Finals in July; or for ECNL North American Cup or Showcase Cup in June.

U17

Traditional league schedule primarily in Fall (Sept-Nov) with potential matches in Winter (Dec-Feb) to minimize conflicts with High School season in Spring.

Three showcases per year

Top teams in each conference qualify for ECNL Champions League in June with winners advancing to ECNL Finals in July; or for ECNL North American Cup or Showcase Cup in June.

U18/U19

Traditional league schedule primarily in Fall (Sept-Nov) with potential matches in Winter (Dec-Feb) to minimize conflicts with High School season in Spring.

At least one showcase per year

Top teams in each conference qualify for ECNL Champions League in June.

Once a Boys ECNL Registered Player is substituted in one half of any Boys ECNL Competition, such Boys ECNL Registered Player may not re-enter the game for the duration of the half. Once a Boys ECNL Registered Player is substituted in one period of overtime of any Boys ECNL Competition, such Boys ECNL Registered Player may not re-enter the game. There shall be a maximum of seven (7) substitutions in any half or in overtime of any Boys ECNL Competition.

Most likely no. Although there are no rules prohibiting ECNL teams from doing so, the schedule and commitment make participation in USYS State Cup, Regional Championships, and National Championships difficult. U13 ECNL teams may participate due to the lack of a regional ECNL event in June.

Loudoun Soccer teams will compete in the Mid-Atlantic division, which includes clubs from Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina. Bus trips may be organized for longer-distance away games to better manage the travel requirements and costs. Saturday-Sunday matches are often coordinated for longer road trips (e.g. two games in South Carolina on one weekend) to better manage the schedule.

Compared to our top-tier boys teams that have competed in USYS National League and various showcase tournaments, the total amount of travel may actually be less.

Loudoun Soccer ECNL teams will train three times per week during their competitive seasons. U13 and U14 ECNL teams will NOT participate in Training Academy (TA) but instead will train as a team for their third session.

Training sessions are expected to occur at Loudoun Sports Park, Evergreen Sportsplex, Bolen Park, and area High Schools.

Some training sessions may include sports performance sessions, classroom sessions, and video analysis.

The ECNL commitment is 10-months, similar to the current Travel team commitment. Breaks will be scheduled around the competition schedule to permit appropriate rest and recovery for all players. U15-U19 ECNL teams are expected to have a lesser commitment in the Spring so that players may participate for their high school teams.

ECNL teams will begin informal sessions during the summer months, similar to other Loudoun Soccer Travel teams.

Costs associated with participating on a Loudoun Soccer ECNL team will be similar in structure to Travel teams (club fee, team fee, individual travel fees, uniform fee, etc.). Fees for the 2019/20 season will be updated in the coming weeks. 2018/19 information for reference is available below.

Club fees for 2018-19 are as follows:

$2400 per player per year – U13 & U14 (06s and 05s)

$2500 per player per year – U15+ (04s, 03s, 02s, 00/01s)

Similar to Travel, club fees for ECNL teams can be made in monthly installments (1-time, 4-time, or 9-time).

Club fees include:

Technical, head coach, assistant, & GK coaches

Facility fees

Game-Day Athletic Trainers

County Fees

Referees

US Club Soccer Player and Coach Registration

Insurance

ECNL League Fees

Team fees for 2018-19 are as follows:

U13 & U14s (06s & 05s): $1,100 (Total – Club and Team Fees: $3500)

U15s (04s): $1,200 (Total – Club and Team Fees: $3700)

U16 & U17s (03s & 02s): $1,300 (Total – Club and Team Fees: $3800)

U18/U19 (00/01s): $1,100 (Total – Club and Team Fees: $3600)

Information on the upcoming 2019/20 season fees will be made available at this page in the coming weeks. Fees NOT included in either club or team dues include player/family travel costs, National Playoff-associated expenses for qualifying teams (entry fee, coach travel, etc.), additional/optional programs (e.g. winter futsal), and uniforms.

ECNL teams attract college coaches given the level of play associated with this league. Additionally, the showcase events provide a convenient opportunity for college coaches to attend in order to evaluate and recruit numerous players and teams.

The Boys ECNL is comprised of the most competitive clubs across the country. Over the course of the playing season, clubs gather to participate in ECNL National events and a National Playoff event (how many events of the five is dependent upon age group). In order to make life easy for the college scouts and maximize collegiate exposure, games are all scheduled and held at one soccer complex . To further work with the college scouts and their schedules, National Events are hosted from November through June, avoiding conflict with the women’s college soccer regular season. The benefits of having the National events scheduled over an eight-month period allow:

The college coaches the ability to observe and evaluate the players from one region to the next;

The college coaches to have multiple evaluations throughout the year;

The clubs to pre-plan their competitive calendar to coincide with their regional calendar and HS calendar; and

The college coaches to pre-plan their recruiting calendars for the season.

Loudoun Soccer believes that becoming an “all-in” ECNL club will provide teams with better access to the ECNL’s complete player development model. Having already benefited from a successful inaugural Girls ECNL season, the club looks forward to its boys teams having access to a comprehensive development pathway that complements Loudoun Soccer’s mission to develop champions for life.